The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-18
A MEXICAN ADVENTURE
From Youths Communion.

From Youths Companion.
Mr.. Edgar Wood had two thousand silver
dollars in ten dollar rolls nicely packed in y
valise with few toilet articles, and twelve
thousand dollars in bank notes and bills of ex-
change snugly sewed into thin belt worn
about his person. In an outside belt, elegant
ly embroidered he wore a superbly jewelled
revolver, warranted to be useful as weapon ut
long range in the hands of a self-collectd man
resting under safe shelter.
As 10 other personal furniture his comforta-
bic figure was adorned with fine gold watch
possessing national reputation for beauty and
throughout the republic of Mexico, and hat
covered with gold lace and bangles that made
it the envy of all the beaux in town.
Under these conditions Mr.. Edgar Wood en-
tered the ten-mule stage, that stood in the patio
OF the Hotel Iturbide, for a trip down the
country to pay off three thousand laborers q
moths wages.
The stage started out amid the usual hub
bub. The driver gathered up his lines, shouted
at all the mules together and at each mule
by name. The assistant driver seized the
whip and added its resoundng crack to his vo-
ciferous entreaties and denunciations The
two outriders ran along the sides of the team
shouted and swore and pelted the mules with
stones, while ten bows of COW bells suspended
above the ten collars added their clangor to tie
confusion, and the whole cortege rolled over the
toughest cobble-stone pavement on the Ameri-
can continent, awakening an angry city from
its comfortable slumberS.
The wealthy contractor was alone that morn.
ing, and he occupied every corner of the stage in
such rapid succession and varied positions that.
il the City of Mexico had been twice as broad as
it was, he must have been diSagreeable ielly
before reaching the suburbs As it was, how
ever, the grand exhibition of style and enter-
prise was soon over, and the team settled down
to the comfortable habit Of the country, a very
slow trot on rather soft roads, while The pas
sengor settled himself in the corner, lighted
Vera Cruz cigar and began TO indulge in the
pleasures of imagination.
"This month, - he considered. ''wilI cost me
twenty thousad dollars, for which outlay the
government pays me one hundred thousand
dollars which is eighty thousand clear gain
In two more | shall be in good trim, and then
I shall ask old Juarez for Emilia. think She
admired me last night when l said my adieu;''
and he looked at his pistol, his fine watch and
elegant hat and-a riile-ball whistled through
the coach-window, followed by command Of
"pararSc ~ (halto
There is no discussing such an order given
under such circumstances.
1t was not possible for MIR. Wood to say lust
how Jhe looked, but he felt very pale, whena
pleasant gentlemanly voice ut the window in
qa5red, lave the honor Of addressing Senior
Figaro Wood 2"
THAT is my name sir =
"Ah, Don Edgaro, am so sorry to have TO
modest You in your journey but won't you do
me the favor to alight for Il moment?"
Row, II there was one quality on which that
gentleman prided himself more than on anoth-
er, it was the superiority of manners. He was
known as the polite American of Mexico, and
so, when addressed a simple request in such
courteous, terms he was fain to comply.
He therefore alghted and tried to do so
promptly, but his motions were not so graceful
as usual; there seemed tremulous excite
ment, almost n stagger, in his movements,
when he looked about him.
Four men armed with cutlasses, rifles and
revovers stood ready to receive him. The up
per half of each face was covered with black
mask. They were evidently natives save one,
whose head broader than the others at the tenn
pies and rudy face below the mask ending in
thin, frouzly, tow-colored goatee seemed to
indicate an Englishman. Mr.. Wood, noting
him carefully, thought lie had seen him before
but failed in every attempt to place him.
"Senor Wood" said the spokesman advanc-
ing, 81 am pleased to meet you and regret that
you are not able to reciprocate the cordial sen
timents / entertain for you. j must say
Amiguillo, you wear a charming hat and such
things are so common to you that / am sure
there will be no obstacle to an exchange See
what poor thing / wear. and SO unsuted to
my years and position in society," it fits well
too. And also Senior Wood, you are said to
possess an excellent watch that, sir, would be
an extremely convenient article to have in my
profession that | may he prompt in meeting
the stage and thus avoid tirescme watching. |
Mr.. Wood was rapidly learning to adapt him
sell TO circumstances. He knew he must sub
NIT to being stripped, so, handing over the
watch with the best grace possible he said,
with q smile and bow, "May ] present you
with pistol, as good rs there is in the repUb-
lie, except your own
"Ah, Senorl now You fatter me; 1 accept
il in your name, Amiguillo."
"And also, Senior, admire your coat; let
US exchange. Your trousers, too, viii fit me
nicely, and your boots even if a little large,
will be better than these. Have the goodness
10 be seated on my old coat and we will assist
you in removing thcmj we arc experienced |
Wallets"
Tohave observed the face Of Mr.. Edgar Wood |
now you wood have thought he was engaged |
IN y frolic. ] have heard him say in telling |
this story, that he felt all through the perform
ancc as ii he were being okcd by friend.
"And now" continued the ladron eve viii |
trouble you, Senior Wood, to pass out your va
lise, if you will be so 0bliging."
Mr., Wood hesitated for the first time and |
looked around, but there was no mercy; the |
muZzles Of three pieces looked pto his eyes, |
while he replied, every well, gentlemen if you |
insist" He handed ont the heavy yallse, which |
was taken aside by the McXicans, while the |
English looking thief kept guard at the stage
door. When the precious cargo was removed
to n short distance from It's owner, the sentinel
muttered to him in English, "If you will give
me two thousand dollars unseen, from your
belt, you can save the rest; otherwise, I'll fix
every dollar you've got"
Mr.. Wood felt sure he had somewhere seen |
the face, Of which the mouth and chin were |
exposed, butt he suspected the truth, he kept |
it 10 himself and quietly handed over the |
money 10 the man.
In a few minutes, the nearly empty valse
was returned, and the party Dade the traveller
adieu and wished him a safe journey. In his
disaQrecable fix he could only ride till he met |
the return stage, and 90 with II 10 the capital,
under the shelter Of shawl lent him by sym